Determinants of change in insulin resistance response to Nordic walking in community-dwelling elderly women
31 Mar 2025
Nordic walking, characterized by the use of two walking poles, is becoming increasingly popular. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects produced by a 12-week Nordic walking training
program on functional abilities and metabolic profiles, specifically walk distance and insulin resistance, among elderly women.
The present study included 74 women (68 ± 7 years). The Nordic walking training program of 120 minutes per week was performed for 12 weeks. Before and at the end of the 12-week intervention,
6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and the homeostasis of the model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured.
After the 12-week Nordic walking training program, 6MWD increased significantly . HOMA-IR improved significantly from a median (interquartile range) of 2.01 to 1.32 after intervention. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses for changes in HOMA-IR showed that changes in the body mass index, triglycerides, and uric acid were independently and significantly associated with changes in HOMA-IR. The increased 6MWD correlated significantly with improved HOMA-IR in participants with baseline gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) , but not in those with baseline GGT . Analysis of covariance showed that two regression lines in each graph were significantly different . These results suggest that increased 6MWD predicts improvement in insulin resistance after a 12-week Nordic walking training program in participants with elevated GGT.
program on functional abilities and metabolic profiles, specifically walk distance and insulin resistance, among elderly women.
The present study included 74 women (68 ± 7 years). The Nordic walking training program of 120 minutes per week was performed for 12 weeks. Before and at the end of the 12-week intervention,
6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and the homeostasis of the model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured.
After the 12-week Nordic walking training program, 6MWD increased significantly . HOMA-IR improved significantly from a median (interquartile range) of 2.01 to 1.32 after intervention. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses for changes in HOMA-IR showed that changes in the body mass index, triglycerides, and uric acid were independently and significantly associated with changes in HOMA-IR. The increased 6MWD correlated significantly with improved HOMA-IR in participants with baseline gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) , but not in those with baseline GGT . Analysis of covariance showed that two regression lines in each graph were significantly different . These results suggest that increased 6MWD predicts improvement in insulin resistance after a 12-week Nordic walking training program in participants with elevated GGT.
You may be interested in them
21 Oct 2025
Effect of Nordic Walking on Walking Ability in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease
21 Oct 2025
Effects of Nordic Walking on Physical Fitness in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review
21 Oct 2025
Nordic Walking Groups for People with Parkinson’s Disease in Community Rehabilitation Settings
World Original Nordic Walking Federation
Administration office:
JĘDRZYCHOWSKA 20D
65-385 ZIELONA GÓRA, POLAND
office@onwf.org
© 2024 onwf.org | Original Nordic Walking from Finland